Process for flashing incandescent lamps



Sept. 28, 1965 J. J. MASON 3,208,311

PROCESS FOR FLASHING INCANDESCENT LAMPS Original Filed April 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet l I25 LAMP RATED VOLTAGE 30 2s 2s 2 (H3; 8

FIG 3 300w Ian 44 a; 4 $Pfoow 39 O Q 5 I25% LAMP RATED voLTAGE 4o 0 3 FIG. 6.

SINGLE FLASH 5 AT A voLTAGE BELOW 300w RATED VOLTAGE 54 100W T (BALLASTED) |8 FIRST CHECKT 52 58 RELIGHT- AT 5| Q FLI(\SHING VOLTAGE '1 UNBALLASTED 5o 48 {I00 w ilk 46 SECOND CHECK A C LAMP W RATED VOLTAGE FLASHING VOLTAGE c luueALLAsTEo) INVENTOR. LAMP READY JULIEN 3'. MASON FOR BY SHIPMENTG SALE 9 1 4,,

P 1965 J. J. MASON 3,208,811

PROCESS FOR FLASHING INCANDESCENT LAMPS Orlglnal Flled Apr1l 28, 1960 2 s sheet 2 I EL P ES 1 T I II EQUILIBRIUM RAZNGE TRANSITION RANGE ox" T INVENTOR.

JULIEN J. MASON United States Patent 5 Claims. (Cl. 3161) This invention relates to electric lamps and, more particularly, to an improved process for flashing incandescent lamps and heat treating the filaments thereof.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 25,285, filed April 28, 1960 and entitled Incandescent Lamp and Process and Apparatus for Treating Lamp Filaments.

After incandescent lamps have been exhausted and sealed they .are customarily lighted up or flashed a number of times at progressively higher voltages. The purpose of this so-called flashing schedule is to heat the filament to a sufiiciently high temperature to vaporize impurities such as oxides or other foreign matter that may be present on the surface of the wire and to convert such wire from its worked or fibrous microstructure to a crystalline microstructure that is conducive to good life performance. 'In lower wattage lamps where getter is applied to the filament to facilitate the cleaning up of gaseous impurities in the lamp, the aforesaid flashing also serves to vaporize such getter.

Flashing is most commonly accomplished on the basing machine and a typical schedule for gas filled lamps having coiled-coil filaments consists of a step-wise increase of applied voltage from about 50% to 105% of the rated lamp voltage in, perhaps, five or more index positions or stations of the basing machine. The flashing circuit at each of the aforesaid stations includes a suitable ballast (except in the case of low voltage lamps) to limit the current and thus prevent the impurities vaporized from the filament from causing an arc and ruining the lamp. A final light-up at 100% of the lamp rated voltage or higher is provided at an unballas-ted position for the purpose of detecting and destroying lamps having internal shorts.

As is well known, lamp filaments are fabricated from refractory metal such as tungsten that is produced by powder metallurgy techniques, drawn into wire and then wound into either a single coil or coiled-coil helix of the proper diameter and length. Thus, the filamentary wire before flashing has a worked or fibrous microstructure throughout and is, accordingly, sufliciently ductile to withstand the coiling operation. During flashing, the Wire is heated to its recrystallization temperature and its fibrous lmicrostructure thus converted to a crystalline microstructure with resultant setting or hardening of the filament. However, before the filament reaches its recrystallization temperature and is set and rendered sagresistant, it reaches a temperature at which it becomes plastic enough to sag under its own weight.

When the unflashed filament is slowly heated to its recrystallization temperature, as by flashing the lamp at progressively higher voltages in a plurality of steps in accordance with conventional flashing schedules, the filament remains plastic for a sufficiently long period of time to develop an appreciable amount of sag. While the degree of sag which occurs during multiple-step flashing may not be serious in lamps having filaments that are disposed transverse to the lamp axis, as for example in the so-called C9 or CC6 type filament, it constitutes a serious problem in the vertically mounted coiled-coil or CC8 filaments now being employed in that when such l CC lamps are flashed in a vertical position it causes the spacing between the secondary turns at the lower end of the coil to decrease and the spacing between turns at the upper end of the coil to increase. The resultant nonuniform temperature distribution along the length of the filament produces hot-spots which shorten the life of the lamp and cause undesirable variations in its rating. As a solution to this problem it has been proposed that lamps having CC8 filaments be flashed in a horizontal rather than a vertical position. However, this is not only inconvenient from a manufacturing standpoint but produces an appearance defect in lamps with clear bulbs since the coil sag is asymmetrical to the lamp axis rather than symmetrical as in the case of C9 and CC6 filaments.

In addition to the aforesaid sag problem, the prior art practice of completely recrystallizing the filament during flashing makes it brittle and very fragile. As a result, the filament frequently breaks while the finished lamp is being packed or shipped thus posing a problem that has plagued the lamp industry from its very inception and, in some cases, necessitates the use of very costly packaging.

It is, accordingly, the general object of this invention to provide an improved process for flashing an incandescent lamp which will obviate the foregoing and other difliculties associated with the prior art methods.

Another and more specific object is the provision of a process for flashing incandescent lamps and heat treating the filaments thereof on a mass production basis without adversely affecting the quality of the finished lamps.

Still another object is the provision of a method for flashing incandescent lamps and producing a predetermined microstructure in the flashed filaments which reduces the incidence of filament breakage during shipment.

The foregoing objects, and others which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by i as'hing the lamp in a single step or operation instead of in several stages as heretofore. A voltage of such character is applied to the lamp that the filament is rapidly heated to its recrystallization temperature and set. Thus, the filament is in a plastic condition for a shorter period of time than in the case of the prior art mode of flashing and accordingly experiences less sag.

According to the second aspect of this invention, the incidence of filament breakage during shipment of the finished lamps is reduced by employing a flashing voltage that has an equilibrium value below that at which complete recrystallization of the filament would occur within the flashing period. The flashed filament is, accordingly, only partly recrystallized or underflashed and has unrecrystallized fibrous regions therein which render the flashed filament more resilient and better able to withstand the vibration and shock it experiences during the packing and shipping of the finished lamp. Preferably, the two concepts, namely, underflashing and one-step flashing, are combined to provide a method for controlling both the degree of filament sag and brittleness or fragility which occur during flashing.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a 300 watt P830 incandescent lamp incorporating a coiled-coil CC8 filament processed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one type of flashing circuit that can be employed in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 3 to 5 are schematic representations of other and preferred types of flashing circuits wherein one or several incandescent lamps are employed as the ballast means;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred sequence of steps according to the invention for completing the fabrication of an incandescent lamp and inspecting it prior to shipment; and

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are graphic representations of the flashing voltages obtained from the circuits illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, respectively.

While the present invention can be advantageously employed in the manufacture of various types of incandescent lamps, it is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with incandescent lamps having vertically mounted coiledcoil filaments and has accordingly been so illustrated and will be so described.

With specific reference to the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a 300 watt CC8 incandescent lamp 15 which generally comprises a pear-shaped envelope 16 having a coiled-coil filament 18 sealed therein and supported in substantially coaxial relationship therewith by a pair of lead-in conductors 19 and 20 and the usual support and tie wire arrangement. The aforesaid conductors are sealed through a conventional re-entrant glass stem 22 that is fused to the end of the envelope neck and protrudes inwardly therefrom. Electrical connection with the lead wires and filament is effected in the usual manner by means of a base 21 attached to the sealed end of the envelope. The lamp 15 contains a filling of suitable inert gas such as a mixture of 90% argon and nitrogen, for example, at a pressure of 600 millimeters of mercury.

The filament 18 is fabricated from a suitable refractory metal wire such as wire consisting essentially of tungsten, for example, that has been prepared in accordance with standard powder metallurgy techniques. As a specific example, tungstic acid or tungstic oxide is first prepared from tungsten ore and has added thereto predetermined amounts of so-called doping compounds, such as silicon dioxide, alumina, and potassium chloride, for example, to form a slurry that is then chemically reduced to metallic tungsten powder. The powder is then compacted and sintered to form an ingot that is mechanically worked, as by swaging or drawing, into a filamentary wire of the desired diameter. The wire at this stage is ductile and has the characteristic fibrous or stringy microstructure of worked unrecrystallized wire. Photomicrographs have shown that the filamentary wire initially (that is, prior to flashing) is of fibrous microstructure throughout.

In the Metals and Alloys Dictionary by M. Merlub- Sobel, Chemical Publishing Company, Inc., N.Y., 1944, the word fiber is defined as the direction in which metals have been caused to flow, as by rolling, with macroscopic evidence in the form of fibrous appearance in the direction of flow, and the expression fibrous structure defined in terms of a fibrous fracture having a surface of long stringy nature. The word fibrous as herein used accordingly refers to a stringy pattern or structure in the wire as distinguished from a granular or crystalline structure. Fibrous regions as used herein accordingly denote unrecrystallized regions in the filamentary wire which remain ductile and tough.

In accordance with the one-step flashing concept of the present invention, after the lamp is sealed the filament 18 is heated in one continuous operation or step to its recrystallization temperature. While this may be accomplished by various means, as by high frequency induction heating for example, it is preferably achieved by applying a predetermined voltage to the filament. It has been found that for the 300 watt CC8 lamp 15 here shown, the critical temperature range in which filament sag occurs during flashing corresponds to a voltage between about 40% and 75% of the lamp rated voltage (E), or approximately 2000-2500 K. The unfiashed lamp is, accordingly, energized with a voltage of such magnitude that the filament is rapidly and continuously heated through the aforesaid temperature range to the desired equilibrium temperature.

In accordance with the second aspect of this invention, it has been found that the strength of the filament can also be improved by maintaining the equilibrium value 4 (E of the applied flashing voltage between about 75% and E. Voltages of this order will heat the filament sufficiently to set it with a minimum of sag without completely recrystallizing it within the flashing period. Good results have been obtained in the case of the 300 watt CC8 lamp here illustrated by maintaining the equilibrium value (E of the applied voltage at approximately 80% 13,, which corresponds to a filament temperature of about 2600 K. for this particular type lamp. Of course, where improved filament strength alone is desired the lamp can be flashed at still lower voltages, as for example 50% E,.

Thus, by controlling both the rate of rise of temperature of the filament and its ultimate or steady state temperature, the filament can be set with a minimum amount of sag without causing the complete recrystallization and embrittlement thereof. The aforesaid voltages and ranges are merely illustrative and will vary depending upon the particular type of lamp and filament involved.

Various types of flashing circuits for heat treating unfiashed filaments in accordance with the foregoing will now be described.

In FIG. 2 there is shown a resistor-ballasted flashing circuit according to the invention wherein a currentlimited voltage of predetermined magnitude is applied to a lamp 15 by means of a pair of conductors 25 and 26 that connect the lamp to an AC. voltage source through a variable resistor 28 and a switch 30 that are connected in series with each other and the lamp filament 18. The magnitude of the supply voltage exceeds the lamp rated voltage (15,) by a predetermined amount, as for example 125% E as in the case of a 300 Watt CC8 volt lamp here shown. By properly adjusting the resistor 28 the equilibrium value of the voltage (E,) which appears across the filament 18 during flashing is set at a predetermined value high enough to heat the filament to its recrystallization temperature and set it, but low enough to prevent the complete recrystallization thereof within the flashing period, as for example 80% E as mentioned above.

Under these conditions, when the switch 30 is closed and an unfiashed 300 watt CC8 lamp 15 is in the circuit, a voltage in the order of 16% E will be immediately ap plied to the filament 18 which voltage rises to 73% E in about twenty cycles. The resulting wave form of the flashing voltage applied to the lamp is shown in FIG. 7. As will be noted, the transient portion of the flashing voltage (that is, the region a-b in FIG. 7) is such that the voltage across the filament rises fairly rapidly from its initial relatively low value to its equilibrium value B or 80% E,. Thus, the filament temperature is continuously increased and traverses the critical sag temperature range in a much shorter time than in the case of a conventional multiple-step flashing schedule.

The actual rate at which the filament heats up will, of course, vary considerably depending upon the particular type of lamp, wire size, coil design, fill gas, etc. involved. However, in order to effectively limit the amount of sag during flashing with most coiled filam'ents, the filament should reach a temperature of about 2500 K. within three seconds after the voltage is applied. It would, of course, be preferred if the filament were heated to this temperature in a shorter time interval since this would reduce filament sag still further.

A circuit capable of achieving both underflashing and accelerated heating of the filament is shown in FIG. 3 wherein a pair of incandescent lamps 34 and 36 arranged in parallel constitute the ballast means. As shown, the lamps 34 and 36 are connected between one end of the unfiashed filament 18 and one side of the voltage supply by means of a conductor 32 and a switch 38-. The other end of the unfiashed filament is connected to the other side of the supply line by another conductor 31 as before. In order to enable the unfiashed filament 18 to heat up faster than the filaments of the ballast lamps 34 and 36 it is necessary that the combined wattage of the ballast lamps be greater than that of the unfiashed lamp and the proper balance of impedance be provided. In the particular case of an unfiashed 300 watt CO8 lamp 15 here shown, this is accomplished by using a pair of 200 Watt lamps as the ballasting means.

If the AC. supply voltage is 125% E as indicated in FIG. 3, the voltage applied across the unfiashed filament 18 by this particular circuit will have a wave form of the character shown in FIG. 8. As there shown, upon closure of the switch 38 the initial voltage applied to the unfiashed filament 18 is about 75% E. The voltage rises to approximately 93% E, in about seven cycles, and then gradually decreases to 86% E in thirteen cycles and finally to its equilibrium value E or 80% E,.. It should be noted that in this case the transient (that is, the region a to b in FIG. 8) by virtue of the non-linear resistance of the ballast lamps is such that the voltage applied to the unfiashed filament first exceeds and then decreases to its preselected equilibrium value E Thus, the unfiashed filament is heated to its recrystallization temperature at a faster rate than with the resistor-ballasted circuit described above and is thus set with a minimum of sag.

In FIG. 4 there is shown essentially the same type of circuit as illustrated in FIG. 3 except that a single lamp 42 is used as the ballasting means. This type of circuit is of particular use where the wattage of the lamp 150 is such that the impedance balance necessary to achieve accelerated heating of the unfiashed filament 18a to the desired temperature can be obtained by using a ballast lamp of a standard and hence readily obtainble wattage. In the example here shown, the unfiashed lamp 15a is a 200 watt CC8 lamp and the ballast lamp 42 has a 300 watt rating. As before, the ballast lamp 42 is connected in series with one end of the unfiashed filament 18a and one side of the voltage supplied through a conductor 39 and switch 44, and the other end of the unflashed filament is connected to the voltage source by means of another conductor 40. For the particular combination of lamps and supply voltage here shown, the wave form of the voltage appearing across the unfiashed lamp 15a would be similar to that shown in FIG. 8, except that because of the less massive filament being treated the applied voltage would reach its equilibrium value in a shorter time.

Heating of the unfiashed filament can be achieved at an even faster rate by preheating it to a temperature below its recrystallization and sag temperature before flashing in order to increase its initial resistance. A circuit of this character is shown in FIG. 5 wherein a 300 Wat CC8 120 volt lamp 15 is connected to the supply voltage by means of a preheating circuit consisting of conductors 45 and 46, a switch 50, and a 100 watt ballast lamp 48 which is connected in series with the unfiashed filament 18 and one side of the line. When the switch 50 is closed and the unfiashed lamp 15 is connected to an AC. supply voltage of 125 E as here shown, the ballast lamp 48 limits the current through the unfiashed lamp to a value such that a voltage drop E (see FIG. 9) of about 17 volts or 14% E appears thereacross. This is sufficient to substantially increase the resistance of the filament 18 but is well below the critical range of 40 to 75% E in which filament sag occurs.

After the unfiashed filament 18 has been preheated, three additional 100 watt ballast lamps 54, 56 and 58 are connected in parallel with the first ballast lamp 48 by means of conductors 51 and 52 and a second switch 60. Thus, the ballast lamp 48 is first utilized to limit the current in the preheat circuit and is then used as part of the multiple-lamp-ballasted flashing circuit formed when the aforesaid preheating circuit is connected to the network of parallel-connected ballast lamps 54, 56 and 58. As will be noted in FIG. 9, the voltage is at a minimum initially and then decreases to an equilibrium value of about 80% E,. The peak initial voltage in the case of the 120 volt 300 watt lamp 15 shown is in the order of 130 volts. Thus, upon closure of the switch 60 (represented in time by the ordinate a" in FIG. 9) the voltage immediately increases from the low preheating voltage E to a value higher than E (in this particular case about 108% E), and then drops in the transition range a" to b to the aforesaid equilibrium voltage B In FIG. 6 there is shown a preferred series of steps for flashing and inspecting incandescent lamps preparatory to shipment in accordance with the invention. As shown, the lamps are first flashed in a single step or operation at a ballasted position and at a preselected voltage below the lamp rated voltage to set but not fully recrystallize the filaments. Preferably, the flashing voltage is about of the lamp rated voltage and is applied for a period of about 2 to 3 seconds. After flashing the lamps are relighted twice at unballasted positions for about the same length of time and at a voltage no greater than that at which they were flashed, and preferably at the same voltage. In this manner lamps having arc initiating defects are detected and destroyed before shipment without substantially increasing the degree of recrystallization of the filaments of the good lamps. The lamps which pass inspection are then packed and shipped. Completion of the recrystallization process within the filament is achieved when the lamp is subsequently lighted at its rated voltage in the customers socket.

It has been found advantageous in practice to provide two or more separate flashing circuits on the basing machine and to switch from one set to the other. Otherwise, the filaments of the ballast lamps may not have sufiicient time to cool while the machine is being indexed and hence may have too high a resistance.

Photomicrograph studies conducted on 300 watt coiledcoil filament removed from lamps that were flashed in a singe step in accordance with the invention at a voltage having an equilibrium value of about 80% of the lamp rated voltage reveal that the wire is composed of discrete grains of irregular configuration joined by unrecrystallized fibrous regions. This structure extends throughout the entire length of the wire so that a plurality of discrete fibrous regions and grains intermingled one with another are actually present therein. Both the grains and fibrous regions are elongated in the general direction of the wire axis with the latter substantially filling the crevices in the irregular surfaces of adjacent grains which they join thereby constituting, in effect, a resilient bridge or link therebetween. In an underflashed filament, accordingly, substantial portions of adjacent grains are joined by unrecrystallized fibrous regions thereby eliminating the clearly defined or discrete grain boundaries normally observed in fully recrystallized wire such as that produced by the prior art multiple-step type of flashing schedule.

Comparative tests have shown that lamps flashed in a plurality of stages at progressively higher temperatures in accordance with conventional practice are fully recrystallized and have the same microstructure after flashing as they have after being seasoned whereas identical lamps flashed only once at a preselected voltage below their rated voltage in accordance with this invention have a distinctly different microstructure that improves the shock resistance of the filament and is totally different from the fully recrystallized structure observed after seasoning In the specific case of the 300 watt CCS lamp here shown, the filament sag due to flashing has been reduced by approximately 50% when the one-step flashing schedule of this invention was employed. In addition, drop tests on comparative lots of conventionally flashed lamps and lamps underflashed in accordance with the principles of this invention have shown that the incidence of coil breakage is reduced by a factor of about 10 to 20, that is, one broken underflashed filament for every ten to twenty regularly-flashed filaments fractured.

As will be apparent from the foregoing, the objects of the invention have been achieved insofar as an improved method for flashing and heat treating an incandescent lamp filament has been provided, which method is not only inexpensive and efficient but circumvents the sagand strength problems associated with the prior art practlces.

While several flashing schedules have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various modifications and changes can be made, such as the use of a DC. instead of an AC. voltage for example, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In the manufacture of an incandescent lamp containing a filament of refractory metal Wire that initially is of fibrous microstructure throughout and is thereby susceptible to sagging when the lamp is lighted for the first time, the process of flashing said lamp and completing the heat treatment and setting of said filament in a single step, which process comprises, applying to said lamp a controlled voltage of varying magnitude having an equilibrium valve sufficient to heat said filament to its recrystallization temperature and that is characterized by a transient such that said filament is heated to a temperature of about 2500 K. within three seconds, and maintaining the application of said voltage until it reaches its equilibrium value and said filament reaches the corresponding recrystallization temperature.

2. In the manufacture of an incandescent lamp containing a filament of refractory metal Wire that initially is of fibrous microstructure throughout and when fully recrystallized becomes embrittled and fragile, the process of flashing and completing the fabrication of said lamp Without fully recrystallizing said filament and thereby decreasing its shock resistance, which process comprises, applying to said lamp a controlled varying voltage that has an equilibrium value greater than about 50 percent of the rated voltage of said lamp but is of suflicient magnitude to only partly recrystallize said filament, and then deenergizing said lamp after the applied flashing voltage reaches its equilibrium value and said filament is heated to the corresponding partial recrystallization temperature.

3. In the manufacture of an incandescent lamp containing a filament of coiled refractory metal wire that initially is of fibrous microstructure throughout and is thereby susceptible to sagging when the lamp is lighted for the first time, the process of flashing said lamp and completing the heat treatment and setting of said filament in a single step without fully recrystallizing said wire or causing an objectionable amount of filament sag, which process comprises, applying to said lamp a controlled voltage of varying magnitude having an equilibrium value of from about 75% to 90% of the lamp rated voltage and a transient such that the voltage applied to said filament first exceeds and then gradually decreases to the aforesaid equilibrium value, and maintaining the application of said voltage until it reaches its equilibrium value and said filament reaches the corresponding partial recrystallization temperature.

4. In the manufacture of an incandescent lamp containing a coiled filament consisting essentially of tungsten Wire that initially is of fibrous microstructure throughout and is thereby susceptible to sagging when the lamp is lighted for the first time, the process of flashing said lamp and completing the heat treatment of said filament in a single step without fully recrystallizing said wire or causing an objectionable amount of filament sag, which process comprises, applying to said lamp a controlled voltage of varying magnitude having an equilibrium value sufficient to only partly recrystallize said filament and that is characterized by a transient such that said filament is heated to a temperature of about 2500 K. within three seconds, maintaining the application of said voltage until it reaches its equilibrium value and said filament is partly recrystallized, and then connecting said lamp to an unballasted voltage source and relighting it at a potential that does not exceed the equilibrium value of the aforesaid controlled voltage, thereby to inspect said lamp for arc-initiating defects preparatory to shipment without substantially increasing the degree of recrystallization of said filament and decreasing its shock-resistance.

5. In the manufacture of an incandescent lamp containing a coiled filament of refractory metal wire that is initially of fibrous microstructure throughout and thereby susceptible to sagging when first heated, the process of heat treating said filament without causing an objectionable amount of filament sag, which process comprises, preheating said filament to a temperature below that at which recrystallization and sagging occur to substantially increase the electrical resistance thereof, applying to said lamp a controlled voltage having an equilibrium value sufiicient to heat said preheated filament to its recrystallization temperature and that is characterized by a transient which, by virtue of the increased electrical resistance of said preheated filament, initially exceeds and subsequently decreases to the equilibrium value of said controlled voltage, and maintaining the application of said voltage until it reaches its equilibrium value and said filament reaches the corresponding recrystallization temperature, thereby rapidly flashing said preheated filament and setting its geometrical configuration in one continuous operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 462,540 11/91 Edison 316l X References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,140 7/23 Ramage. 2,338,840 1/44 Eade et al. 2,832,661 4/58 Wilely.

FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN THE MANUFACTURE OF AN INCANDESCENT LAMP CONTAINING A FILAMENT OF REFRACTORY METAL WIRE THAT INITIALLY IS OF FIBROUS MICROSTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT AND IS THEREBY SUSCEPTIBLE TO SAGGING WHEN THE LAMP IS LIGHTED FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE PROCESS OF FLASHING SAID LAMP AND COMPLETING THE HEAT TREATMENT AND SETTING OF SAID FILAMENT IN A SINGLE STEP, WHICH PROCESS COMPRISES, APPLYING TO SAID LAMP A CONTROLLED VOLTAGE OF VARYING MAGINITUDE HAVING AN EQUILIBRIUM VALVE SUFFICIENG TO HEAT SAID FILAMENT TO ITS RECRYSTALLIZATION TEMPREATURE AND THAT IS CHARACTERIZED BY A TRANSIENT SUCH THAT SAID FILAMENT IS HEATED TO A TEMPREATURE OF ABOUT 2500* K. WITHIN THREE SECONDS, AND MAINTAINING THE APPLICATION OF SAID VOLTAGE UNTIL IT REACHES ITS EQUILIBRIUM VALUE AND SAID FILAMENT REACHES THE CORRESPONDING RECRYSTALLIZATION TEMPREATURE. 